Royal Style

Crown Princess Letizia of Spain went head-to-head in a fashion face-off with France’s First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, when the two stylish women met for lunch in Spain. Carla opted for cobalt-blue Dior (no surprise there), while Letizia played up her slender frame in a plum-colored number by local designer Felipe Varela. However, because Letizia’s husband, Prince Felipe, is a commanding six foot two inches tall, she was able to wear towering shoes, while Carla (whose husband, Nicolas Sarkozy, is five foot five) stuck to Christian Louboutin kitten heels. Meow. Later, during a white-tie gala at the Royal Palace in Madrid, the two mavens’ styles diverged when the French First Lady chose a tasteful black velvet Dior dress and the Spanish princess opted for an elegant silver silk gown, complete with a faux-gem-embellished neckline, a mini-train, and a tiara on loan from her mother-in-law, __Queen Sofia.__Zara Phillips has been enjoying her own fashion success. Last night, the world-champion equestrienne took a break from dazzling crowds at riding events to dazzle crowds at a charity gambling event in Monaco. The royal sportswoman wore a loose-fitting, one-shoulder purple frock and peep-toe heels.

British comedian David Williams and Princess Beatrice were all smiles last night in London. The two posed together at a private dinner to celebrate the opening of a Michael Kors store on New Bond Street. Williams looked slick in a gray suit, while Beatrice charmed cameras in a short black-and-white dress.

Meanwhile, the Queen of England has updated her communication style, sending her first official e-mail to the Commonwealth’s kids. The Queen is no stranger to the Internet. Her annual Christmas addresses have been available via podcast since 2006, and Prince Harry previously taught the Queen to text-message. But we’re guessing that the little prince wasn’t around to help his grandmum with today’s e-mail: Harry is probably still recovering from his big throwdown last weekend when he ordered a 30-shot round of vodka.